My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone,

is so pretty,

and a paper plate, preparing to cut

her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before

be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said,

sing the ‘Happy

must close her

Rachel must blow

her head to indicate to Julian that there was no need

and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

a wish on your birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not

she found a little girl who wasn’t

the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and

say thank you!” their parents

other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly

of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time in days. Thank you,

her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry about anything else. As for the

anyway, so I might as well pretend it never

regretting bringing up the child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then.

turned and headed toward

apartment and about to close

was propped open by a large hand

at her, his darkened face made all the

out on

into the house and shut the

“I see you’ve been getting along

steps

he pulled off his

like unmelting icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me

her, forcing her back inch

no idea what she

of her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged all the way